“The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the Lord.” Those were the words of Dr. David Bruce, and were among the first words spoken during the funeral service for Reverend Billy Graham.

“The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the Lord.” Those were the words of Dr. David Bruce, and were among the first words spoken during the funeral service for Reverend Billy Graham.

The road will be closed between South Tryon Street and West Tyvola Road from midnight until Friday afternoon - after Rev. Billy Graham's funeral concludes and President Donald Trump departs from Charlotte.

The road will be closed between South Tryon Street and West Tyvola Road from midnight until Friday afternoon - after Rev. Billy Graham's funeral concludes and President Donald Trump departs from Charlotte.

In 2006, a group of inmates at Angola prison in Louisiana built caskets for Ruth and Billy Graham. Pictured here, Richard “Grasshopper” Liggett (Credit: Photo provided to the Observer courtesy of The Angollite Magazine)

The prison is formally named Louisiana State Penitentiary but everyone calls it “Angola” – built on land that was a slave plantation, home to thousands of people who were forcibly taken from Angola, their birth country in Africa.

The prison is formally named Louisiana State Penitentiary but everyone calls it “Angola” – built on land that was a slave plantation, home to thousands of people who were forcibly taken from Angola, their birth country in Africa.

The body of Rev. Billy Graham, who died last week at age 99, lies in the Capitol Rotunda as President Donald Trump, officials and dignitaries pay tribute. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, members of the public will have a chance to pay their final respects before, on Thursday morning, Graham’s body will be returned to Charlotte in preparation for Friday’s services.

At 1 p.m. on Wednesday, members of the public will have a chance to pay their final respects before, on Thursday morning, Graham’s body will be returned to Charlotte in preparation for Friday’s services.

After two busy days in which some 10,000 people paid their final respects to the Reverend Billy Graham at his namesake library, things are quieter on Wednesday as workers prepare for the funeral on Friday.

After two busy days in which some 10,000 people paid their final respects to the Reverend Billy Graham at his namesake library, things are quieter on Wednesday as workers prepare for the funeral on Friday.

Dozens of unique tributes to Reverend Billy Graham lay at his library’s entrance, with cards marked from senders are far as South Korea. While the public cannot drive beyond that entrance this week, Shane Warner and his crew, can.

Dozens of unique tributes to Reverend Billy Graham lay at his library’s entrance, with cards marked from senders are far as South Korea. While the public cannot drive beyond that entrance this week, Shane Warner and his crew, can.

- In this June 25, 2005 file photo, former President Bill Clinton, left, speaks alongside the Rev. Billy Graham on the second night of the Greater New York Billy Graham Crusade in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Former President Bill Clinton plans to pay his respects to the late Billy Graham on Tuesday at Graham’s childhood home in Charlotte, a source close to Clinton told the Observer Monday.

Former President Bill Clinton plans to pay his respects to the late Billy Graham on Tuesday at Graham’s childhood home in Charlotte, a source close to Clinton told the Observer Monday.

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse employees pay their respects to Rev. Billy Graham on Monday at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. Graham died on Wednesday at the age of 99. (Jeff Siner | Charlotte Observer)

Visitors began paying tribute at 8 a.m. at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. Graham's body will lie in repose at the Graham Family Homeplace through Tuesday.

Visitors began paying tribute at 8 a.m. at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. Graham's body will lie in repose at the Graham Family Homeplace through Tuesday.

Former President George W. Bush hugs Billy Graham as Laura Bush looks on during a 2010 book signing at the Billy Graham Library. (Credit: Observer file photo)

Former President George W. Bush hugs Billy Graham as Laura Bush looks on during a 2010 book signing at the Billy Graham Library. (Credit: Observer file photo)

Former President George W. Bush and everyday people in and around Charlotte will get a chance early this week to pay their last respects to Billy Graham, whose body will lie in repose in the home he lived in as a teenager.

Former President George W. Bush and everyday people in and around Charlotte will get a chance early this week to pay their last respects to Billy Graham, whose body will lie in repose in the home he lived in as a teenager.

Former President George W. Bush, left, greets evangelist Billy Graham as Laura Bush looks on as they met for a brunch prior to a book signing at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Former President George W. Bush, left, greets evangelist Billy Graham as Laura Bush looks on as they met for a brunch prior to a book signing at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Dec. 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, will be in Charlotte Monday to pay respects to Reverend Billy Graham, who passed away Wednesday.

Former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, will be in Charlotte Monday to pay respects to Reverend Billy Graham, who passed away Wednesday.

According to the city, officials will close Billy Graham Parkway in both directions between South Tryon Street and Tyvola Road just after midnight Friday, March 2, until funeral activities at the Billy Graham Library conclude on Friday afternoon.

According to the city, officials will close Billy Graham Parkway in both directions between South Tryon Street and Tyvola Road just after midnight Friday, March 2, until funeral activities at the Billy Graham Library conclude on Friday afternoon.

Billy Graham and son Franklin in 2005, the year they deducated the new headquarters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte. (Todd Sumlin | The Charlotte Observer)

Billy Graham and son Franklin in 2005, the year they deducated the new headquarters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte. (Todd Sumlin | The Charlotte Observer)

There will be a private prayer service for the immediate family at 10:45 a.m. this Saturday at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, in Asheville, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced.

There will be a private prayer service for the immediate family at 10:45 a.m. this Saturday at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, in Asheville, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced.

The man who touched millions was also the man who thought much of God and little of himself. Tuesday, as people reflected on the life of Reverend Billy Graham, the word humility kept coming up. Graham was never one to bask in the limelight.

The man who touched millions was also the man who thought much of God and little of himself. Tuesday, as people reflected on the life of Reverend Billy Graham, the word humility kept coming up. Graham was never one to bask in the limelight.

Billy Graham and son Franklin in 2005, the year they deducated the new headquarters of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte. (Todd Sumlin | The Charlotte Observer)

A petition calling for the government to deny the younger Graham a visa has been signed by more than 7,500 people. Also weighing in, according to the Guardian newspaper, are some members of Parliament.

A petition calling for the government to deny the younger Graham a visa has been signed by more than 7,500 people. Also weighing in, according to the Guardian newspaper, are some members of Parliament.

Billy Graham, evangelist, speaking at a luncheon at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City Feb. 17, 1954 after receiving a scroll for outstanding contribution to the resurgence of interest in religion. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)

He can’t hear or see very well. He doesn’t talk much. And his last crusade, in New York City, was 12 years ago. But this Charlotte-born evangelist still matters.

He can’t hear or see very well. He doesn’t talk much. And his last crusade, in New York City, was 12 years ago. But this Charlotte-born evangelist still matters.

Billy Graham’s grandson, Will Graham, watches a video presentation about his grandfather before speaking as part of Faith and Family Night at Sunday’s Charlotte Knights game. (Diedra Laird | The Charlotte Observer)

Long before he felt called to be a preacher, Billy Graham wanted to grow up to be a Major League Baseball player....

Long before he felt called to be a preacher, Billy Graham wanted to grow up to be a Major League Baseball player....

He was kicked out of a youth group at a Charlotte Presbyterian Church because he was "too worldly."His father made him drink beer until he got sick and it had such an impact on him that he abstained from

His journey started November 7, 1918 from a farm boy growing up in Charlotte to being dubbed "America's pastor." "Dr. Graham's ministry expanding over 60 plus years," said promotions manager Sonya Johnson

Evangelist Billy Graham's voice may be softer but the man who helped transform Christianity in America will reach out to the nation on his 95th birthday.

NOTE: The following is the transcript of the sermon Rev. Billy Graham gave at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2011, three days after the attacks in New York, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. President

"But how do we understand something like this? Why does God allow evil like this to take place? Perhaps that is what you are asking now. You may even be angry at God. I want to assure you that God understands those feelings that you may have."

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) People attend a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Wednesday shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Fla., Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. Nikolas Cruz, a former student, was charged with 17 counts of ....

A former student opened fire at the end of the day at a Parkland, FL, high school. There are multiple fatalities.

A former student opened fire at the end of the day at a Parkland, FL, high school. There are multiple fatalities.

In the past few months, a number of high-profile men have been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Allegations have led to resignations in Congress - and may have made a difference in a key Senate race.

In the past few months, a number of high-profile men have been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Allegations have led to resignations in Congress - and may have made a difference in a key Senate race.